The Mishina school has the distinction of being able to trace its lineage to Shoshu Masamune. Kaneuji 1st (Shizu-Saburo), was one of Masamune’s 10 students, he is credited with establishing the Mino school in the Shizuyama region during the late Kamakura Period. He worked primarily in the Shoshu style. This blended with his own methods, came to be known as the Shizu tradition. Kinju’s methods were also emulated. Kaneuji II (student of Kaneuji I), and his followers moved from Shizuyama to Naoe (thus the term Naoeshizu is often used). Their work is a blending of Shizu and Yamato Tegai and commonly referred to as Akasaka sen juin. Kaneuji 9th generation is a direct descendant of his, and the grandfather of Kanemichi I. Kanemichi I, founded the Mishina school in Mino province during the late Muromachi period. He combined the style of his grandfather 9th generation Kaneuji with his own techniques thereby establishing the Mishina tradition. He moved to Yamashiro in the late Muromachi or early Shinto period. His blades were noted for their extreme sharpness and quality and were rated upper class. In light of his success, he was bestowed with the title of Mitsu-(no)-Kami and granted permission to use the character dai in his signature. This took place in Ei-Roku, 12 (1569 A.D.). He was the father of Kinmichi, Yoshimichi, Masatoshi, and Rai-Kinmichi, of Yamashiro province.
THE MISHINA SCHOOL GENEALOGY
Article By: the late David E. J. Pepin
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